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Monday, February 22, 2016

Round Four of January PPM Data Released.

Round Four of January PPM Data Released. The fourth and final round of January 2016 PPM survey data from Nielsen Audio has been released for 12 markets including: Austin, Milwaukee, Indianapolis, Providence, Raleigh, Norfolk, Nashville, Greensboro, West Palm Beach, Jacksonville, Memphis, and Hartford. The January 2016 survey period covered December 31 – January 27. RadioInfo managing editor Mike Kinosian(Kinosian@RadioInfo.com) provides his "Top Takeaways" from all of these 12-PPM markets.

TOP TAKEAWAYS

1) Austin – Without an increase in the last five survey periods for a cumulative -2.3 (6.0 – 6.0 – 5.4 – 5.0 – 4.4 – 3.7, 6+), iHeartMedia-owned KASE "Today's Country" busts out a +.9 to 4.6 (6+), leaping from #12 to #6. Similarly–formatted sibling KVET – off by a combined -1.5 the past two sweeps – delivers a +.6 (5.9 – 5.4 – 4.4 – 5.0, 6+) as it escapes a three-way tie at #6 to climb to #5. In addition to KASE, Emmis triple A KGSR "Radio Austin" also improves by nine-tenths (2.2 – 3.1, 6+), moving up from #17 to a three-way tie at #13. Down or flat in four successive sweeps (4.9 – 4.9 – 4.8 – 4.8 – 4.4, 6+), co-owned KLBJ-FM "The Rock of Austin" wipes out the combined -.5 in that period with a +.7 to 5.1, exiting a three-way logjam at #6 for #4. Leveling off after a -1.5 in the "Holiday" sweep (9.3 – 7.8 – 7.8, 6+), adult hits sibling KBPA "Bob" (second to first) swaps places with Entercom adult contemporary KKMJ "Majic 95.5" (11.4 – 6.4, -5.0, first to second, 6+). Over the last several months, "Majic" was -.5 in September; +.5 in October; +.7 in November; +.5 in December; +5.0 in "Holiday"; and now -5.0 in January. Before "Majic" succeeded "Bob" at #1 in "Holiday" 2015, "Bob" ranked #1 the previous 12 sweeps. A gain of eight-tenths (3.6 – 4.4, 6+) propels KKMJ's hot AC cluster-mate KAMX "Mix 94.7" into the top ten (#13 to #8), while a one-half share increase to 3.1 ends three straight down or flat trends for Univision's KLJA "Inicio 107.7" (#16 to #13). Off by one-half share (5.1 – 4.6, 6+), rhythmic CHR KPEZ "102.3 The Beat" (fifth in "Holiday" 2015) is tied with iHeartMedia country cluster-mate KASE at #6.

3) Indianapolis – In "Holiday" 2015, country rivals WLHK "Hank" and WFMS each declined by eight-tenths. They turn things around in January though, as Cumulus Media's WFMS is +1.4 (4.9 – 4.1 – 5.5, tenth to sixth, 6+) and Emmis-owned "Hank" gains one full-share (6.5 – 5.7 – 6.7, fourth to third, 6+). Off by a combined -3.2 in December and "Holiday" (9.7 – 8.2 – 6.5, 6+), Entercom CHR WZPL storms back with a +1.3 (to 7.8, 6+), enabling "Indy's Hit Music Station" to advance from third to first. Dislodged from #1 is Emmis adult contemporary WYXB "Soft Rock B-105.7," which sputters by more than eight full-shares and drops to second (7.2, – 8.2, 6+). Contrasted to WZPL's -3.2 in the two previous ratings periods, "B-105.7" was a cumulative +8.9 in those sweeps (6.5 – 8.6 – 15.4, 6+). Prior to that though, WYXB was down or flat the previous four times yielding a combined -1.8 (8.3 – 7.9 – 7.3 – 7.3 – 6.5, 6+). This marks the seventh successive time that sports sibling WFNI "The Fan" is up or flat (2.4 – 2.6 – 2.7 – 3.2 – 3.2 – 3.4 – 3.6 – 4.3, 6+) as it gains nearly two full-shares in that time; "The Fan" proceeds from #12 to a three-way tie at #10. Still in that cluster, talk WIBC improves by one-half share (3.9 – 4.4, 6+) and returns to the top ten for the first time since September (#11 to #9, 6+). Although unchanged at #13, Radio One CHR WNOW "Radio Now" follows up a -.9 in "Holiday" with a +.7 (4.1 – 3.2 – 3.9, 6+). A gain of four-tenths to 3.2 (6+) enables Cumulus Media urban-rhythmic oldies WRWM "The Beat" (steady at #14) to apply the brakes to four consecutive downward trends (4.6 – 3.5 – 3.3 – 2.9 – 2.8, 6+).

4) Providence – Leading up to the January sweep, Cumulus Media adult contemporary WWLI put together three huge jumps in succession for a combined +11.4 (7.2 – 8.7 – 10.7 – 18.6, 6+). Notwithstanding a decrease of almost eight full-shares (18.6 – 10.8, 6+), "Lite Rock 105" is again the market leader. After a -1.8 in the "Holiday" ratings period, co-owned CHR WPRO-FM "Today's Hit Music" regains virtually all of it (9.2 – 7.4, 9.1, +1.7, 6+) and finishes second for the third straight time. This is also the third consecutive sweep that WHJY is at #3, as the iHeartMedia rocker erases the -.7 in "Holiday" with a +1.1 (7.4 – 6.7 – 7.8, 6+); it is the station's best 6+-performance since June's 9.3. With a one-share increase to 5.5, classic hits-oldies sibling WWBB "B-101" (seventh to sixth, 6+) curbs six straight sweeps without an increase that yielded a net loss of 3.5 shares (8.0 – 8.0 – 7.7 – 7.0 – 6.0 – 5.0 – 4.5, 6+). Off by eight-tenths each in "Holiday" 2015, Hall Communications' WCTK "Cat Country" (7.0, 6+) and iHeartMedia hot AC WSNE "Coast 93.3" (6.0 – 5.2 – 5.9, 6+) both improve by seven-tenths; they remain at #4 and #5, respectively. It is the first increase for "Cat Country" in the past five monthlies (9.0 – 8.9 – 7.7 – 7.3 – 7.1 – 6.3, 6+). After a one-half share dip, Entercom sports outlet WVEI counters with a +.6 (3.1 – 2.6 – 3.2, 6+) and remains at #8.

5) Raleigh – Having delivered a +5.7 in "Holiday," Capitol Broadcasting adult contemporary WRAL sputters by approximately 50% in January (8.6 – 14.3 – 7.1, -7.2, 6+); even so, "Mix 101.5" remains on top for the fifth consecutive ratings period. More accurately, it shares the penthouse with iHeartMedia CHR WDCG "G-105 The Hit Music Channel" (6.7 – 7.1, +.4), which climbs to the #1 tie from #3. Talk cluster-mate WTKK continues to have significant swings with a +.9 in December; a -1.3 in "Holiday"; and now a +1.5 in January (4.6 – 5.5 – 4.2 – 5.7, 6+), ascending from tenth to a fifth-place tie. It is linked there with co-owned WRDU "Classic Rock 100.7," which posts a +.7 to 5.7 (6+), thus curtailing a string of four straight sweeps without an increase that produced a combined -1.5 (6.5 – 6.1 – 5.9 – 5.0 – 5.0, 6+). "Classic Rock 100.7" is up from fifth in "Holiday." Also ending four straight sweeps without a gain (for a cumulative -3.6) is Curtis Media Group's WQDR "Today's Best Country" (7.0, +1.4, sixth to third, 6+). Prior to January's +1.4 "Today's Best Country" trended 9.2 – 8.0 – 7.6 – 7.0 – 5.6, 6+. Owing to a -.3 in "Holiday," WCMC had its consecutive streak of up-trends snapped at four (2.5 – 2.7 – 3.6 – 3.9 – 4.0, 6+), but "99.9 The Fan" is +1.1 in January to 5.1(6+) and rises from #12 to a three-way tie at #7. The Capitol Broadcasting sports outlet is part of a three-way logjam there with two stations trending in opposite directions – Curtis Media Group CHR WPLW "The Pulse" (+.5, up from #8, 6+) and Radio One urban contemporary WQOK "K-97.5" (-.9, down from #5, 6+). In three straight declines, (6.9 – 5.8 – 5.7 – 4.8, 6+) "K-97.5" is a combined -2.1. Improving by one-half share each are Curtis Media Group classic hits-oldies and talk siblings WKIX "Kix 102.9" (3.6, #14 to #13) and WPTF (1.3, #19 to #16), as well as iHeartMedia's WNCB "B-93.9 New Country" (4.2, #12 to #11), which was locked on 3.1 in October and November and on 3.7 in December and "Holiday." "Kix 102.9" had been down (albeit modestly) the past three sweeps (3.5 – 3.4 – 3.3 – 3.1, 6+) as had WPTF (1.5 – 1.1 – 1.0 – .8, 6+). For the seventh consecutive time, Curtis Media Group adult hits WBBB "Radio 96.1" (eighth to tenth) is either down or flat (7.1 – 6.1 – 5.5 – 5.2 – 5.2 – 4.5 – 4.3 – 4.3, 6+). Although steady at #4, this is the fourth successive sweep without an increase for Radio One urban AC WFXC "Foxy 107.1" (7.1 – 7.1 – 6.9 – 6.6 – 5.8, 6+). Despite notching a +.3 to 4.1 (6+) to end three straight declines (5.1 – 4.9 – 4.8 – 3.8, 6+) gospel sibling WNNL "The Light 103.9" drops from #11 to #12. Up the past four ratings periods and finishing second in the "Holiday" report (5.6 – 5.8 – 5.9 – 6.2 – 6.9, 6+), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill-owned WUNC does not appear in print.

6) Norfolk – More than making up for a -1.0 in "Holiday," Max Broadcast Group country WGH-FM posts a +1.5 to 5.2 (6+), ending three straight downward trends that produced a combined -1.4 (5.1 – 5.0 – 4.7 – 3.7, 6+); "The Eagle 97.3" climbs from ninth to sixth. Co-owned WGH-AM "Star 1310" improves by six-tenths (.9 – 1.5) to move from #17 to #15, 6+. Inching up from eighth to seventh is Saga classic rocker WAFX "The Fox," which gains eight-tenths (3.8 – 4.6, 6+). Rock sibling WNOR-FM (4.8 – 5.4, sixth to fifth, 6+) and Max Broadcast Group CHR WVHT "Hot 100.5" (3.5 – 4.1, 6+) each gain six-tenths. WNOR-FM was -.9 in both "Holiday" and November. It has been quite the rollercoaster for "Hot" (#11 to #9) which – since May – has been +.6; +1.4; -.2; +1.2; -.6; +.5; +.6; -.6; and +.6. Regaining the half-share it forfeited in "Holiday" (3.1 – 2.6 – 3.1, 6+), iHeartMedia's WVSP "ESPN 94.1″ moves back to #11 from #12. Although having its best 6+-showing since April's 4.7, Entercom rhythmic CHR WNVZ "Z-104" (3.9 – 4.4, 6+) falls from seventh to eighth. Co-owned urban AC WVKL (12.0 – 12.1, +.1 6+) is #1 for the 44th consecutive ratings period. The last time "Smooth R&B From Yesterday & Today" was not in double-digits (6+) was exactly two years ago (9.8, January 2014). Coming within two-tenths of WVKL in "Holiday" 2015, adult contemporary sibling WWDE "2WD" falters by more than five shares and drops from second to fourth (11.8 – 6.4, -5.4, 6+). After zooming from #12 to #5 in the "Holiday" report with a lofty +3.4, iHeartMedia rhythmic hot AC WMOV "MOViN 107.7" relinquishes all but one-tenth of that gain (2.7 – 6.1 – 2.8, -3.3, 6+) and returns to #12.

7) Nashville – Notwithstanding a -4.9 that halts three straight progressive trends (9.8 – 10.6 – 11.2 – 15.6 – 10.7, 6+), Midwest Communications adult contemporary WJXA "Mix 92.9" finishes at #1 for the 47th successive monthly. Applying the brakes to six successive downward trends that yielded a combined loss of one full-share (8.3 – 8.0 – 7.7 – 7.6 – 7.5 – 7.4 – 7.3, 6+) WRVW "The River" posted a +.8 in December. The iHeartMedia CHR relinquished all of it in "Holiday" but comes back in January with a half-share gain (7.3 – 8.1 – 7.3 – 7.8, 6+) and is in the runner-up slot for the third successive time. This is the 25th successive sweep in which Joule Broadcasting CHR WNFN (2.8 – 2.6, -.2, steady at #13) is in the two-share range (6+). After three consecutive downward trends resulting in a cumulative -1.6 (8.1 – 8.0 – 7.8 – 6.5, 6+), Cumulus Media sports outlet WGFX "104.5 The Zone" bounces back with a +.7 to 7.2 (6+), inching up from fourth to third. Also gaining seven-tenths each are country cluster-mate WSM-FM "Nash Icon" (5.0, steady at #8) and Cromwell Group alternative WBUZ "102.9 The Buzz," (tenth to ninth), which has its third straight gain (2.4 – 3.1 – 3.5 – 4.2, 6+); "Nash Icon" was +.6 in "Holiday." Improving by six-tenths each are iHeartMedia urban contemporary WUBT "The Beat" (6.8, unchanged at #5, 6+) and Ryman Hospitality Properties' classic country WSM-AM, which hadn't had an increase in the last four sweeps (1.7 – 1.3 – 1.3 – 1.0 – .8 – 1.4, #15, 6+).

8) Greensboro – It is a #1 – #2 – #3 finish for Entercom, including rhythmic CHR WJMH "102 Jamz" climbing from second to first – despite being down by seven-tenths (9.0 – 8.3, 6+). Without an increase in the last three sweeps (8.9 – 8.2 – 7.7 – 7.7, 6+), co-owned WQMG "The Best R&B and Old School" picks up one-half share to 8.2 (6+), inching up from fourth to third. Following back-to-back December and "Holiday 2015" increases that totaled a combined +8.3, iHeartMedia adult contemporary WMAG "The Best Mix of the '80s to Now" regresses by nearly 50% and slides from first to fourth (6.9 – 9.9 – 15.2 – 7.8, -7.4, 6+). Off by six-tenths in "Holiday," FM talk sibling WPTI (steady at #9), rebounds with a +.8 (3.2 – 2.6 – 3.4, 6+). Gaining six-tenths each are country and CHR cluster-mates WTQR "New Country Q-104.1" (7.9, fifth to fourth, 6+) and WMKS "Kiss-FM" (5.2, 6+). "Q104.1" lengthens it lead over Entercom's WPAW "The Wolf" (5.4, +.1, steady at #6) from two full-shares to 2.5. "Kiss" remains at #7 for the fourth straight time. Its wild trending continues to be noteworthy: +1.0 in June; -1.1 in July; +1.4 in August; -.7 in September; -.5 in October; -.8 in November; +.6 in December; -.9 in "Holiday"; and +.6 in January.

9) West Palm Beach – Two owners – Palm Beach Broadcasting and iHeartMedia – have four stations each in the top eight, starting with Palm Beach Broadcasting hot AC WRMF, which holds down the top spot for the 18th consecutive time. WRMF rebounds from a combined decrease of three full shares since October with a one-half share gain (12.0 – 11.3 – 10.2 – 9.0 – 9.5, 6+). Having added a cumulative +1.1 in November and December, urban AC cluster-mate WMBX "X-102.3" returned all of it in "Holiday" but bounces back with a +.6 (3.9- 4.3 – 5.0 – 3.9 – 4.5, 6+), inching up from sixth to fifth. Conversely, although steady at #2, adult contemporary sibling WEAT "Sunny 107.9" forfeits all but one-tenth of its +2.9 from "Holiday" 2015 (6.0 – 8.9 – 6.1, -2.8, 6+). The adult contemporary format erodes by another -1.2, as iHeartMedia-owned WOLL trends 7.3 – 6.1; "Today's Kool 105.5," however, remains at #3. Prior to "Holiday" 2015, "Kool" had been in the runner-up slot the previous six monthlies. Ranked fifth in the "Holiday" report (4.0, 6+), Education Media Foundation contemporary Christian WAYF does not appear in January.

10) Jacksonville – This time last month, Renda Broadcasting adult contemporary WEJZ "Lite 96.1 – Today's Variety" held a seemingly insurmountable 11.1-share lead (6+) over Cox Media Group classic hits-oldies WJGL "The Eagle." A combination of "Lite 96.1" surrendering 10.5 shares (19.7 – 9.2) and "The Eagle" soaring by +1.2 (7.6 – 8.8), however, has the two stations separated by just four-tenths. The +9.4 "Lite" registered in the "Holiday" report (10.3 – 19.7) was the second-highest (6+) December 2015 – "Holiday" 2015 increase by any station in the 48 PPM-markets. Prior to dropping to #2 in November, "Lite" had been on top for 17 straight sweeps. Off by six-tenths in "Holiday," "The Eagle" moves up to the runner-up spot from #3. Co-owned adult contemporary WEZI "Easy 106.5" adds four-tenths (1.6 – 2.0, 6+) and continues at #15. In addition to "The Eagle," WJCT – off by eight-tenths in "Holiday" – also posts a +1.2 (3.9 – 3.1 – 4.3, 6+); the public outlet ranks #12 for the fourth successive time. After eroding by eight-tenths each with identical 5.2 – 4.4 trends, Cox Media Group alternative WXXJ "X-102.9" rebounds with a +1.1 (5.5, seventh to sixth, 6+) and iHeartMedia adult hits WWJK "Jack-FM" improves by one-half share to 4.9, but actually drops from seventh to eighth (6+). Following three straight declines – including a -1.8 in "Holiday" 2015 – (8.6 – 8.1 – 7.7 – 5.9, 6+), Cox Media Group talker WOKV rings up a one-share increase to 6.9 and is at #4 for the third straight sweep. Up or flat in four successive ratings periods, CHR sibling WAPE (steady at #5) faltered by one-half share in "Holiday" but returns with a +.9 (5.8 – 6.0 – 6.0 – 6.2 – 6.3 – 5.8 – 6.7, 6+). Moving up from #11 to #10, format rival – iHeartMedia's WKSL "Kiss-FM – regains the six-tenths it dropped in the "Holiday" sweep and is in 4.0 – 4.9 range (6+) for the ninth straight time (4.6 – 4.0 – 4.6, 6+). Part of a four-way logjam at #7 in "Holiday," urban-rhythmic oldies cluster-mate WSOL "V-101.5" (4.4 – 5.1, +.7, 6+) now has sole possession of #7.

11) Memphis – Up or flat for a combined +8.3 in the past six sweeps (5.7 – 6.0 – 6.9 – 7.2 – 7.2 – 7.9 – 14.0, 6+), Entercom adult contemporary WRVR "Continuous Soft Rock The River" surrenders a -6.7 to 7.3 (6+) and drops from first to fourth. Taking over (again) at #1 is iHeartMedia urban AC KJMS "V-101" (8.6 – 9.0, +.4, up from third, 6+). Prior to a -1.4 in "Holiday" 2015, "V-101" had not had a decline in the previous four sweeps (8.9 – 9.2 – 9.3 – 9.3 – 10.0, 6+). Trailing by one-tenth is urban contemporary sibling WHRK "K-97.1" (8.8 – 8.9, +.1, 6+). A gain of six-tenths (2.6 – 3.2, 6+) propels talk cluster-mate WREC into the top ten (#12 to #9). Urban-rhythmic oldies sibling WDIA halted three consecutive downtrends in December that resulted in a cumulative -2.7, but "1070 – The Heart & Soul of Memphis" slumped by -1.3 in "Holiday." It now bounces back with a one-half share increase in January (7.8 – 6.6 – 5.5 – 5.1 – 5.4 – 4.1 – 4.6, 6+) to climb from eighth to seventh. In 7.0 – 7.8 range the past five sweeps, Cumulus Media urban-rhythmic oldies WRBO (fourth to third) registers a +.4 to 8.2. Moreover, it is the third straight increase for "Soul Classics and Today's R&B" (7.0 – 7.4 – 7.8 – 8.2, 6+) and the first time since November 2014 (8.1, 6+) that it crosses the eight-share threshold. Albeit the net gain is +.4, WGUE "Guess FM" (#15 in "Holiday" 2015) didn't have a decrease in the last six sweeps (1.3 – 1.3 – 1.5 – 1.5 – 1.5 – 1.6 – 1.7, 6+), but the Mighty Media classic hits-oldies outlet does not appear in print in January.

12) Hartford – For the 16th time in the last 17 sweeps – including the past eight – CBS Radio adult contemporary WRCH leads the way, although "Lite 100.5" (-5.7) has its string of five straight increases snapped (8.7 – 10.8 – 11.1 – 11.6 – 11.9 – 17.8 – 12.1, 6+). Posting improvements of +1.5 each are rhythmic CHR sibling WZMX "Hot 93.7" (6.7 – 8.2, 6+) and iHeartMedia's WWYZ "Country 92-5" (6.5, eighth to seventh, 6+). "Hot" breaks out of a three-way tie at #3 to take the runner-up slot, while "Country 92.5" halts three successive downward trends that resulted in a loss of more than three shares (8.1 – 7.5 – 6.9 – 5.0, 6+). Up or flat for the fourth straight sweep (5.7 – 5.9 – 5.9 – 6.3 – 7.1, 6+), CBS Radio talker WTIC-AM progresses from #6 to a tie at #3; the last time WTIC-AM reached the seven-share range was last April (7.0, 6+). Connoisseur Media talker WDRC-AM (unchanged at #10) and classic rock sibling WDRC-FM "The Whale" (5.1, #8, 6+) each regress by one-half share. The decline ends the consecutive string of improvements by WDRC-AM at four (.8 – .9 – 1.1 – 1.3 – 1.4 – .9, 6+). "The Whale" was -1.2 in "Holiday" and had been at #7 the past four ratings periods. Ten (10) Hartford area stations appear in print, the lowest total of any PPM-market. Public WNPR – in ninth-place the past 19 sweeps and with a 2.4 in "Holiday" 2015 (6+) – disappears in January.